What is the foundationalism theory of knowledge?

Theory Of Knowledge Epistemology Questions



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What is the foundationalism theory of knowledge?

Foundationalism is a theory of knowledge that posits that knowledge is built upon a foundation of basic beliefs or truths. According to foundationalism, these basic beliefs are self-evident or incorrigible, meaning they are immediately and indubitably known to be true. These foundational beliefs serve as the starting point for acquiring further knowledge and are considered to be justified without the need for further justification. The rest of our knowledge is then derived from and justified by these foundational beliefs through a process of logical inference or empirical evidence. Foundationalism emphasizes the importance of certainty and justification in knowledge acquisition, as well as the hierarchical structure of knowledge with foundational beliefs at the base.